Due to bad weather down south we have extended our stay in Edinburgh. This meant we were here on Shrove Tuesday. Bryn is an expert at pancakes but had an early return to his work, so was not going to be with us for it so he made some before he left. I really enjoy them, both savoury and sweet versions. He made plenty batter so I had them with lemon and sugar for breakfast the next day too.

We are enjoying seeing the burgeoning signs of Spring. The Meadows are brightened by every colour of crocus. Taking advantage of our free bus passes, we have been stretching our legs over a wider range, any time there was sunshine, in Leith, Inverleith, Cramond and Craiglockhart.

Not every day is sunny but some are exceptionally so. When the forecast was particularly bright, Shane proposed a trip to North Berwick. I had already planned to see my sister for a walk that day and knew she had stayed there on holiday a few times, so we all went together. I had been recommended a cafe on the clifftop, so a beach walk, with the wind behind, and a hill scramble gave us a good appetite and a wonderful view.

Although it was Shrove Tuesday, the cafe didn’t have pancakes on the menu, but soup and focaccia went down a treat. With the excellent weather and the schools being off, the cafe was extra busy and there was no room inside. I had come equipped with insulating layers to sit on against the chill or damp from the outside benches and the sun stayed out. We took in a further walk to Tantallon castle after lunch, past fields with some curlews, then back at the cafe warmed ourselves with a quick drink inside, now a table was available, before taking the bus back into N. Berwick, so we didn’t need to slither back down to the beach and walk back into the wind. The wind was keen and, in mid-February, we were as keen to keep it at our backs.

Pancakes aren’t Nye’s favourite though so we deferred pancakes until the next day, while he celebrated Valentine’s day with a dinner date and I was celebrating by having Shane cook me dinner. When life gives you lemons, make pancakes! The greengrocer was obviously hoping to attract more Valentine’s custom with their fruit display.